Fear the Crab

I took out the Driftwood O’ Death from my fish tank. It will now pull duty as a desk ornament.

In place of the wood I have some smooth river stones (that I actually had to buy, curse my lack of initiative and dedication by not actually going to a river). I arranged the stones in the back corner on their horizontal ends and used them as a wall to hide the air-stone. I put the tallest (fake) plant behind in the corner, and behind the stones are some of the smaller plants to blur the line between the top of the stones and the glass.

Towards the front of the tank, along the side, I have more stones built to form some kind of Flintstones cave, using the slate as a roof. I put a plant in front of the cave to provide access and some semblance of protection for the cories. I did the same plant-door thing with the bell, which in turn was pushed farther back in the tank. Rounded the whole aquarium off with the plants along the back and in the corner, and now half of the tank is exposed. This seems to make Argenta a tad happier, and the cories still have access to areas both in the open and under cover of the plants.

Don’t know how this will affect feeding time, but we’ll see. For those who know where to find it, there’s a picture of the new tank set-up.

Which Final Fantasy Character Are You?

I had to deliver some foodstuffs to an exhibition. I was told that I would be delivering some gourmet coffee and some biscotti. The vehicle used to deliver these goods was a cross between a tricycle and a segway. Maile accompanied me on my journey, standing behind me like kids would stand on a trike’s rear axle.

The trip was mostly uneventful until near the end. We were taking back roads because we couldn’t bring this weird contraption onto the highway, and we found ourselves on a dirt road near farmland. In a case of self-fulfilling prophecy, I was in the midst of conversation with Maile and discussing how the vehicle we were in was efficient, but if I took a turn too fast it could tip over. Lo and behold, I take a turn, one of the wheels hits a rock, and we tip over.

At this time I became aware that in addition to Maile, we had a little midget along for the ride. The three of us gathered up the container of coffee and biscotti and went into a general store to check if anything was damaged.

It was the strangest coffee I had ever since. The grounds were white or cream-colored, and had the consistency of flour (maybe it was flour). The biscotti looked like dried, fried pasta. Except everything really was coffee and biscotti.

Things looked okay, so we repackaged everything and prepared to head out. I then noticed Janet KS in the store, buying an unknown item. She saw me, said hi, and then saw Maile and said hi. Then, “Oh, you two know each other?”

Strange.

I have the Wood o’ Death in my aquarium. This morning I woke up and was about to feed the fishies when I espied one of the peppered cories head-first in a little pocket in the driftwood. The color was really faded and he (I say he because he was always smaller, and the males tend to be smaller) was missing some fins. Sure-tale signs of expiration, methinks.

He wasn’t stuck because it was quite easy to get him out. I think he died and ended up in the driftwood. Still, death persists in the shivering tank of watery doom. Maybe I’m just not cut out to keep fish.

If I lose anymore I’m probably going to give away the peppered and agazzis and keep the two sterbai. Those two are quite happy-go-lucky and despite me having taken them in with little finnage, have persisted nicely. Granted, I don’t know what will happen psychologically to them if the other cories suddenly disappear.

Argenta is big and fertile, as she keeps laying eggs. I think she’s also abusing herself against the filter, because she will swim up to the lip (where the filtered water comes in) then dart quickly away, gouging herself in the process. She does this rarely, like once a week when I’m there, so I don’t think it’s a skin condition.

Don’t know what else to say about it.

Plagued by stomach cramps throughout the night. I must have eaten something bad. As a result I am very tired at work, and have resorted to catnapping inbetween webcomics and email.

Happy news is that I got paid again today. This happiness is tempered by the fact that I need to replenish the accounts I tapped to make the holiday presents happen. I should be thankful that a full-time job leaves me less time for spontaneous spendage.

My xmas loot consisted of money, clothes, and video games. Time to make merry! I got the Zelda for the GameCube and Dawn of War: Dark Crusades for the PC. They be orgasmic! Except I found out the Zelda for the GC is mirror-imaged from the Wii version. Everything, including the map, is swapped. Only the text remains the same, but it’s got me wondering if Link was a lefty to begin with. Who got the switch?

Do not take my ponderings to be an indication of dislike. I love the new Zelda game. I love the puzzle-solving (however simple it might appear to be) and I love the story. I also love the fact that I spend every minute of gameplay wondering if Midna is going to betray me. I have not beaten the game yet, so spare me the gory details until I discover the evisceral truth for myself.

I don’t know. There’s just something about the way Midna treats you that makes you think there’s a knife ready for the space between your C-4 and C-5. The little fairy from before would just annoy you, but you knew it wouldn’t lead you into the lava pits.

Dawn of War: Dark Crusades is turning out to be a fun game. I didn’t like the single-player campaigns from the first two (starting out with less than the full complement of units was rather unappealing), especially since they forced you to play as a particular army. I spent more time playing the 1-time skirmishes, which while fulfilling the instant gratification category, never really gave a sense of accomplishment.

Thankfully DoW:DC satisfies my lust for achievement with its campaign mode. Now I can choose any of the selectable armies, start with the full complement of troops and buildings available, and can determine my own course of success. Plus, earning wargear for my leader and an honor guard of veteran units gives a sense of progression, a reward beyond the increased landgrab. I’ve already taken over the planet with the Necrons, and have started a new campaign with the Space Marines.

My brother stopped by to spend a couple of weeks with the family. He returns to California today.